What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cellblock
Example
The new inmate was assigned to the maximum-security cellblock. [cellblock: noun]
Example
The guards conducted a routine search of each cell in the cellblock. [cellblock: adjective]
cell
Example
He spent the night in a cramped cell after being arrested. [cell: noun]
Example
The prisoner was placed in solitary confinement in a small cell. [cell: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cell is more commonly used than cellblock in everyday language. Cell is a more general term that can be used in various contexts, while cellblock is specific to the prison system.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cellblock and cell?
Both cellblock and cell are formal terms associated with the prison system. They are typically used in legal or official contexts.